On deck: Brunch with the Braves

Padres call up converted outfielder Jason Lane for first major league start on mound

San Diego Padres reliever Jason Lane, making his first appearance in the majora since 2007 when he was an outfielder, pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the fourth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, June 3, 2014, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
The Associated Press

San Diego Padres reliever Jason Lane, making his first appearance in the majora since 2007 when he was an outfielder, pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the fourth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, June 3, 2014, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)

Padres at Braves

Today: 9:10 a.m. | Game 4 of 4

On the air: FSSD; 1090-AM; 860-AM (Spanish)

Probable pitchers

Padres LHP Jason Lane (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

He is Rick Ankiel in reverse. Jason Lane, who played seven seasons in the major leagues as an outfielder with Houston and the Padres from 2002-07, has been trying to make it back to the majors as a left-handed pitcher. He did it in June, pitching 4 1/3 innings scoreless innings for the Padres over two relief appearances. He retired all 10 hitters he faced in a memorable first appearance. Now Lane, 37, gets a chance to make his first major league start on the mound. The opportunity came about because of a strained oblique to scheduled starter Ian Kennedy, who is expected to be pushed back to later in the homestand. Lane compiled a 6-8 record and 4.67 ERA this season in 19 starts for Triple-A El Paso.

Braves RHP Ervin Santana (9-6, 3.87 ERA)

Santana has been one of the most consistent starters for the Braves this season, going at least five innings in each of his 19 starts. He has gone at least six innings in 10 straight starts, eight of them quality outings in which he allowed three or fewer earned runs. In his most recent appearance, Santana limited Miami to one run and six hits in 7 1/3 innings of a 6-1 Braves win. He struck out 10 and walked three, similar to his season strikeout-to-walk ratio (107/37). Santana spent eight seasons with the Angels and one with the Royals before signing with Atlanta before this season.